My Comprehensive Review of Nozbe

I've written in the past about my love/hate affair with ToDo apps on either the Mac or iPhone.  Now that the iPad is such a success, we can toss that in as well.  While some enjoy Things or Omnifocus to get things done, my favorite is Nozbe.  I find that it meets my needs and offers users a ton of options that help them to be more productive.  It's been so helpful to my personal workflow that I rarely even think of using another app for my productivity needs.  In this post, I'll provide a detailed look at Nozbe.

First, let's talk about the overall system that makes Nozbe so effective.  It includes:

• iPhone app


• iPad app


• Online app


• Desktop app (Mac and Windows)


• Mac app store app


• Android app

With iOS, Android, Windows and online versions, you can see that Nozbe is a very comprehensive approach to getting things done at home or at work.  The founder of Nozbe, Michael Sliwinski, also publishes a free iPad magazine called Productive Magazine. This is a value-add in my book and it shows that the company is committed to productivity and giving something back to its users.

I won't be reviewing the Android version of Nozbe since I'm working only on the Mac side of things.  And now, on to the review.

iPhone App

I look for a few things in an iPhone app- speed, simplicity and aesthetics and Nozbe has them all. The icon is attractive and it launches very quickly.



A free version is available through the App Store but is limited to a few projects.  To really get the most out of Nozbe, you'll have to purchase one of three subscriptions via their website.

I went with the Personal plan. We use a Family account at work. When you are part of a family or team account, Nozbe creates a system of personal accounts, all linked to one another. You retain your personal lists within Nozbe but can also share items or delegate an action to another person in your group.

Nozbe can link to your DropBox account as well as to your Evernote account. I find this helpful as a project is often more than a few action steps. Sometimes, you will want reference materials which is where DropBox can come in handy. I like to link Evernote files to a project to share ideas, web clippings or URL links with them.

The iPhone app is very fast. 

The traditional "inbox" is where you place your capture-items. If you want to add a start or due date to an action item, it will then show up in the Next Actions list as well as in the inbox. I use the inbox for quick and dirty action and reminder items.

Next is projects and like David Allen says, most people (if they're honest with themselves) have 30-50 tasks actively open at one time. I probably have 25-30 at the present time. Projects are anything that involve more than one step to accomplish. "Buy a new car" is actually a project involving many steps.

Here is what my projects page looks like, with many more that I can scroll down to find.  I'm not sure why but I like to label my projects as @Project.  It adds a layer of thought that makes it easier for me to find various projects.  I'm sure there are other ways to list your projects as well but this works for me.

There is then a tab called "calendar" so that you can view your action items by due or start date. I don't use this feature all that often but intend to in the next few months.

The "context" tab is very helpful if you want to group tasks by the environment you will be in when you will be in it. In other words, a context might be "@Phone" where you would list calls you need to make the next time you are at a phone. Similarly, a context might be "@Hardware Store" and contain a list of items you need to buy the next time you are at the store.

I use the context tab for meetings and people. Instead of trying to remember what I need to talk about with Kevin, I have a context called "@Kevin" and the next time I meet with him, I can reference the list. Now that I have others at work using Nozbe, we can each prepare for meetings more effectively and even share items with one another.  

You can see a number sign in the bubble to the right of each person's name, referring to an item that I need to speak with each person about.

Finally on the home screen is "delegated items". This will only be present if you are part of a family or team account. Other team members can share an item with me and I with them and these show up under delegated items.

One of the best aspects of the home page is the multi-input button at the bottom of the screen. Here, you can specify if you want to add a simple action (one item), a note, project or context.  

iPad App

The iPad version of Nozbe has a slightly different look. The developer captured a leather notebook kind of feel which works in either landscape or vertical format.



Inside the app are the same functionalities as in the iPhone with tabs for projects, inbox and contexts. The sync is flawless with the online account and was just recently updated so that it syncs in the background. You don't even know that it's happening which helps you to "simply get things done" rather than having to think a whole lot about it.

Mac App / Web App

Of all of the versions of Nozbe that I use the most, the Mac app is my favorite.  It is nearly identical to the online version. I prefer to use the Mac app so that I don't have to live within a browser. The layout can be expanded or contracted, using one to three columns, depending on your preference. You can also customize based on color with Green, Blue or the high-tech grey. The fact that the developers of Nozbe thought of this detail tells you that they take aesthetics as seriously as function. Nice touch.

Native Desktop App

As of right now, the native desktop app is in version three and appears to be close to being finished. I like the Apple Lion-esque look to it and it now includes both DropBox and Evernote integration. It will be interesting to see how Nozbe finishes both the Windows and Mac desktop version. For now, I'm content using the iOS and Mac apps.

Nozbe's tag line is "Simply Get Things Done" and that's just what it helps you to do- be productive. Its full suite of apps is both robust and fun to use. When you take into account that you can also use Nozbe online and collaborate with others via the team/family versions, Nozbe is unrivaled. Things and Omnifocus are excellent task managers but only Nozbe offers online and offline versions, collaboration and a cross-platform approach to its services.

For my money, Nozbe helps me to "simply get things done" each and every day.

 

Why this Fall is a Productivity Bonanza

Productivity geeks are always eager to try out new technology tools.  As I've heard David Allen say in numerous interviews, "If it's shiny and black and expensive, I want to try it!"  Can you relate?

This fall should prove to be exciting as we have a convergence of several new and refreshed products- all set to hit the market at about the same time.  Buckle up folks, this should be fun!

iPhone 5 and iCloud: there is no shortage of information about the new iPhone set to launch (we think) in October.  This should be an incremental step in the incredibly popular Apple line.  As for iCloud, this has a lot of implications for productivity folks as the latest iOS (5.0) has features that have to this point been offered as separate products. A company like Appigo (which makes ToDo) will now have to compete with Apple's own to-do list which is built right into the OS.

Nozbe Desktop: I can't say enough good things about Nozbe and its functionality expands with each month.  Currently, you can use Nozbe online, within the Android and iOS ecosystems and as desktop apps for both Windows and Mac.  Each version is very polished with the exception of the Windows and Mac desktop which is set to move out of Beta and into primetime.  I spoke with founder Michael Sliwinski recently and he is promising a new version very soon.

Wunderkit: German super startup 6Wunderkinder has been something of a darling of the Mac App Store and the early adopters have been raving about their list manager, Wunderlist. I like Wunderlist but find it a bit limited- it's big brother Wunderkit that is set to launch sometime this Fall.  We don't even know what it is but if the quality matches Wunderlist, it should give companies like Nozbe and OmniGroup a run for their money.

Omnifocus: Many GTD enthusiasts like OmniFocus for its versatility and seemingly unlimited potential for project management.  Still, the desktop version has a dated UI and users have been clamoring for a more updated experience.  Look for OmniGroup to make a splash for their flagship product this Fall.  Since OmniFocus is only available for the Mac- and you know how devoted Mac users are- an updated UI will be big news for sure.

Bring on the fall!

 

One Reason Why More People Should Use Twitter

140 characters.

That's all you get when you use Twitter.  Sure, you can post photos and you can shorten long URL's but at its core, Twitter is about brevity.

I was asked to proofread a letter today by a colleague.  As I suggested adding a line to a particular paragraph, he looked at me and said, "I was trying to shorten this letter.  Do you really want this sentence included?"  His point: let's get to the point.  We deleted my line.

Twitter is synonymous with one phrase: an economy of words.

Too many folks take too long to say too little.  One of my best friends, @genedavid on Twitter often posts mysterious quotes and pithy statements (often about things that are over my head).  All are brief and each makes me think.

All of this could explain why some people are killing their email inboxes and using Twitter instead.

Be brief.  It's your gift to others.

Why Some People Don't Get Twitter

I just don't get Twitter.

At least that's what several people have said to me in the last two years.  It seems that people think that you have to be famous for others to follow you but that's not really the case.

Take Matthew Warner's project, TweetCatholic as an example.  Few of these folks are what we would describe as "famous".  Or look at The High Calling network of blogs.  The authors are stay-at-home moms, managers and consultants.  Again, few are famous.

What both TweetCatholic and The High Calling have in common is that people find their writers interesting.  When you are interesting, people are curious about how you spend your time.

And in comes Twitter.  I follow folks on Twitter not because it's creepy but because the people are interesting.  They have something to say.  They do interesting things.

So why aren't you on Twitter?  Even if you're nervous about tweeting, you just might find that others are interested in you.

 

Focus Your Attention Through Desktop Apps

It's all about The Cloud right?  We email, save files and stream music- all from The Cloud.  I like capitalizing the T in The- makes it sound more mysterious.

But hold on a minute.

There is a huge increase in desktop clients that bolster productivity.  NotifyMe2 and Wunderlist are two examples of apps that can run apart from The Cloud.  I know, I know, they still require The Cloud for sync purposes but when you use them, they are on their own.  You can just do your work and tune out whatever distracts you.

The whole deal is to focus attention and strip out anything that gets in the way of important work.  No icons on your task bar.  No browser to seduce you into another Sports Illustrated story about the NFL lockout.

So while The Cloud gains in prestige, power and usefulness, work is still about focus, attention and managing priorities.

Why Your Productivity Shouldn't Require You to Think

When I was growing up in Massachusetts I dabbled in Little League and like most kids, I was pretty average.  Afraid of a high fast ball but quick to cheer on his teammates.

When I got into pitching at around Grade 5, the coach would say things that only years later would I understand.

Don't aim the ball.  Don't think.  Just go out there and have a catch.

Ask an 11 year old what that means and they have no clue.  Ask a 37 year old and I think it now makes all the sense in the world.  When you are thinking about what you're doing, drag is being created on the system.

This is why people talk about getting into "the zone" or "in the flow".  Athletes are not the only ones who get this.  Monks do as well as their daily routines of prayer lend to pushing away distractions and zeroing in on one pure thought.

GTD enthusiasts understand dig this too.  In a LifeHacker interview with David Allen, this kind of "less drag on the system" mindset came out, "Lists must be quick to add to, and quick to review, without any more than the necessary thinking involved."

In other words, don't think unless you have to.  Whether it's in the form of pitching a baseball or choosing a productivity app, you really shouldn't have to think about it all that much.

So here is a new wrinkle in the next app you're tempted to buy: only purchase if you can figure it out within 60 seconds.  If the learning curve is too steep, you probably won't use a month later.